Page 46 of Boss's Baby: A Fake Fiance Romance

“I hope that’s a good thing,” said Dad, his eyes still fixed on the road. “I’m still not sure about going to this damn country club.”

For working-class guys like Dad in town, Pine Shades Country Club symbolized everything obnoxious and pretentious about the rich in the city. And it didn’t help that guys like him, with their modest incomes, were most certainly not welcome.

“Oh, stop,” said Mom, giving Dad a playful swat on the arm. “It’ll be fun. We’ve never even been to this place before.”

“Wouldn’t mind keeping it that way. And I don’t know how I feel about this Josh character paying for everything.”

Katie piped up. “Dad, we already told you—it’s all taken care of. They pay their dues, and that’s it. It’s not like they bring a check to the table or anything. It doesn’t work like that.”

“Yeah,” I said. “So don’t try slipping anyone a credit card or anything.”

The women in the car laughed, and Dad let out a begrudging grumble at the fact that it was most definitely something he’d try to pull. Dad may not have had a ton of money, but he had pride—I’d always respected that about him, even when it meant he’d act on the hardheaded side sometimes.

We approached the tall, steel gate to the club, the letters “PSCC” written in ornate font on the front. A man awaited us, and Dad gruffly spoke his name to him when he approached. The gates opened, and we were in.

The winding road led up a gentle hill, the stately club situated on the top. Rows and rows of luxury cars were parked out front, and as much as I hated to admit it, my old high-school sensitivity about my family’s social status tingled in the back of my head. Dad’s 2006 Camry stuck out like a sore thumb among the Bentleys and Mercedes and other array of luxury cars. And I could tell by Dad’s silence that the same thing was on his mind.

As he pulled in front of the grand staircase, a valet clad in all-black attempted to wave him down.

“Dad,” I said. “Pull up in front so they can take the car.”

“Are you kidding me? Let some kid drive this thing? I can park my own damn car, thanks.”

“Dad!” All three of us said the same thing at once.

“What?”

But we all also knew that there was no talking him out of it—not without a big to-do, at least. So we let him drive on, taking a spot between two cars that probably cost more than he made in a year.

We stepped out into the cool evening air, the interior of the country club glowing with soft, warm light. One of the valets quickly formed up near us, leading our little group up the stairs and to the open doors.

If the Shelton was impressive, the country club was…I couldn’t even begin to describe it. Décor and luxury from another time, black and white floors and a massive spiral staircase leading up to the second and third floors. Gold everywhere. The place was an art deco dream, something that would make Gatsby himself green with envy.

“Wow,” said Mom, her voice heavy with awe. “It’s even nicer than I thought it’d be.”

“Kinda over-the-top,” said Dad, his hands on his hips. “I’ll take a beer at McAlister’s any damn day over this fancy crap.”

“Aw, Dad,” said Katie. “It’s different! Try to have some fun.”

Well-dressed men and women were everywhere, enjoying cocktails and mingling in the entry hall. I scanned the crowd, laying eyes on Josh with his father and another man around Josh’s age—I guessed it was Sam. I’d never seen much of his brother during high school. He’d been the studious one compared to Josh, and thinking back on it, I couldn’t even remember what he’d looked like, or whether or not we’d even met before.

And he looked different than Josh. While Josh was all muscle and solid stature, his brother struck me as lighter, more delicate. The shock of blond hair definitely helped with matters. His father, on the other hand, was all Josh. The two men looked like the same guy at different ages, his dad a little older and wrinklier and with less hair, of course. But he projected power and authority from across the room. I was kind of in awe.

Josh locked eyes with me a few moments after I’d spotted him, a smile spreading across his face as he realized we’d arrived. He got his dad and brother’s attention, and they were soon on their way over.

“I can’t believe we’re actually meeting Walter Taylor,” said Mom, puffing herself up. “You know how much money that guy has?”

“Probably more than he needs,” said Dad. “Probably likes to show it off too.”

“Come on, come on,” said Katie.

The three men were soon with us, and greetings and handshakes were given all around. Josh introduced us to his father and his brother, Sam. Despite his stern exterior, his father was surprisingly warm.

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